Analysis of John Steinbeck´s Paradox and Dream

654 Words2 Pages

Americans strive to obtain the American dream, but they fail to realize that it is our own dissatisfaction and anger that get in our way of keeping the American dream alive. John Steinbeck’s, “Paradox and Dream”, describes these paradoxes that linger in almost all Americans lives. Steinbeck shows how Americans believe in these things, but they contradict them by the actions they take or the words we say. He describes how Americans are dissatisfied, angry and intemperate. John Steinbeck portrayed a negative attitude towards Americans and their ideals by displaying how most are dissatisfied and angry, intemperate and opinionated, and believe in these certain things about ourselves that are not always true. First, John Steinbeck shows how Americans are dissatisfied and angry with many things in their life. There is a paradox that states “We find our time searching for security, and hate it when we get it.” This shows that no matter what Americans want, once they get it they are always searching for more. When Americans achieve what they have been striving for, they always go above and beyond to be number one. Also, Steinbeck explains how Americans convince themselves that their country has the greatest government in the world, but we find every little problem with it and do nothing to change it. Americans say how much they love the government, but when people disagree with something, they complain, get frustrated, and become so opinionated that they do not even bother trying to understand other peoples’ views. The American dream is wanted by so many people. They want the perfect house, the perfect family, and the perfect neighborhood. We all want the American dream but most of us do not even stay in the same house for more than fiv... ... middle of paper ... ...a foot outside. These myths that Americans believe show how they create high standards for themselves, but they do not always fulfill these standards. They contradict the myths with the actions they actually take. In “Paradox and Dream”, John Steinbeck creates a negative attitude towards American people and the ideals they have. He uses paradoxes to show how Americans are unappeased and frustrated with many things, they are only focused on their own opinions and are intemperate, and lastly Americans believe in these fables about themselves that are not always true. Those who read “Paradox and Dream” need to realize that sometimes people take things for granted. They also have to notice the actions that they take in order for them to be on top, which is not right. Works Cited Steinbeck, John. "Paradox And Dream." Paradox And Dream. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • Historical Analysis of The Grapes of Wrath

    1207 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ity of painful experiences endured by our American ancestors, shattering a student’s perception of the struggles he himself is spared. Through the author’s use of symbols, a particular writing style, and the presence of a mental attitude, he convinces readers of the immense struggles of the migrants, effectively educating all who read his message. All of these writing tools add more depth to the overall understanding of the events and attitudes occurring at the time. The Grapes of Wrath inherently defines the true meaning of the American Dream. This once was an evil concept in the 30s that created hope where there was none and naturally left a scar in America's history across the government and it's people. Instead, the American dream is a dream of unity, hope, perseverance, equality, and kindness among all humans that was realized only in the darkest of times.

    Read More

  • Gish Jen’s novel Typical American

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

    The lie of the American dream is that it promises to fix humanity's problems with material gain – it promises happiness from things that are not capable of giving it. And so, followers are all left unfulfilled by the great American dream, left with a reality that is much different than what was so easily guaranteed. The reality that everyone experiences, whether it is the suburban soccer mom or the tired immigrant, is that the dream is mostly unachievable. The reality we think exists is only a myth – a true mythological reality.

    Read More

  • AP Essay

    907 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his essay “Is the American Dream Even Possible?”, Steinbeck employed repetition for the sole purpose of emphasizing that America is, and always will be a whole. As a people, we are similar in the overarching paradoxical themes for which he then set the scene with “One of the generalities most often noted about Americans is that we are a restless, a dissatisfied, a searching people” (Steinbeck Page 1). Each generality following either builds upon the previous, or cancels out what has already been said. One after another he used “we” to start his sentences, not only drawing the audience in, but also making them feel both the pride and shame associated with each idea, that he proceeded to list. Whether they are true or not, simply by means of force, he led the audience to feel a sense of inclusion in the ridiculous notions regarding our nation.

    Read More

  • The American Dream in John Steinbeck's Essay, America and Americans

    357 Words  | 1 Pages

    John Steinbeck, in his essay America and Americans, uses many contradictions to explain his views on the American Dream. I have witnessed and experienced many of these contradictions in my life. Through my experiences, I have learned to believe that the American dream is no more than just a dream.

    Read More

  • Themes Of The American Dream In A Raisin In The Sun

    1631 Words  | 4 Pages

    The concept of the American Dream has always been that everyone wants something in life, no matter if it is wealth, education, financial stability, safety, or a decent standard of living. In addition, everyone will try to strive to get what they want. The American Dream, is said to be that everyone should try and get what they hope they can get in life. In the play A Raisin in the Sun the author Hansberry tells us about a family where each has an American Dream, and Hughes in the poem “ Let America be America Again “is telling us to let America be the America that was free for us to obtain The American Dream. Hansberry and Langston see America like as a place to find the dream desired, although they also see limitation to obtain the American Dream, such as poverty, freedom, inequality, racism and discrimination.

    Read More

  • American Dream Essay

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the end, even after working so hard, none of the characters were able to reach their American Dream. In conclusion, Steinbeck shows American Dream as an unreachable goal because of a character’s standing in the society, their dreams to be unreal and their dependency on other characters.

    Read More

  • The American Dream in The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse

    1185 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the United States there is an idea many pursue called the American dream, which differs from person to person. The American dream according to americanradioworks.publicradio.org is “a revolutionary notion: each person has the right to pursue happiness, and the freedom to strive for a better life through hard work and fair ambition”. Yet it has been said there is no real definition of American dream, instead it merely proves that it has an unconscious influence in American mentality (Ştiuliuc 1). The American dream is different for each person because everyone yearns for things that will they hope will in return make them happy. Whatever that may be, each person goes through different struggles to obtain what they want. According to Frederic Carpenter, the American dream “has never been defined exactly, and probably never can be. It is both too various and too vague” (3). The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse depicts the different interpretations on what the American dream actually is through the opinions and actions of Hector Esperanza, Efren Mendoza and Mrs. Calhoun.

    Read More

  • Interpertive Essay On "Paradox and Dream"

    979 Words  | 2 Pages

    This causes the dream to modify countless number of times. It shows how Americans are always looking for something more and are never satisfied with the decisions they make. Steinbeck also talks about the paradoxes he finds throughout our society. In his essay, he portrays Americans in a negative way by saying they are dissatisfied, in a state of turmoil all the time, and how the people cannot determine what is important and what is not. First, Steinbeck shows how Americans are restless, dissatisfied, and searching throughout their entire lives.

    Read More

  • Steinbeck's Paradox and Dreams

    1178 Words  | 3 Pages

    The structure of the american paradox is complex. The dreams set through decades upon decades of generations have consumed the americans way of living. this paradox and dream is what we have come to not just base our entire lives around but build are morals, standards, and expectations for overall existence. “Paradox and Dream “ isn't like Steinbecks normal pieces of literature. Steinbeck's “Paradox and Dreams” is a sarcastic and criticism filled outlook on the self made paradox created by americans and based on their way of living. Steinbeck is a credited author who is also known for writing Of Mice and Men and East of Eden. both well known pieces of literature. But unlike his more famous pieces of literature that are Fictional stories with specific lessons. “Paradox and Dreams” is based on a realistic outlook on american civilization and the fictional expectations people have for life. He criticises the perspective we have on normal living. and informs us of the true reality and reasoning behind what we look at as normal and realistic. he gives a new look and view on a flawed nation of unreasonable perfectionist. It’s believed Steinbecks criticism stems from The american ability to create false hopes and dreams. that ultimately fool themselves into believing that they are something they're not. leaving the outcome to only hurts the community and population.

    Read More

  • Let America Be America Again By Langston Hughes: Poem Analysis

    832 Words  | 2 Pages

    "Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,We, the people, must redeemThe land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.The mountains and the endless plain—All, all the stretch of these great green states—And make America again!” The free America is actually not free, the words on the constitution are just words. The dream has fade away. All these hard working people, all of their bloods and tears had really make the 1 percent of the American’s American dream came true. The reality is such a chaos for the narrator. he has suffered so much from this reality, so he now wants to share his idea to all the readers and try to wake them up, this is not the America that want, this is not the society they want. The American dream does not exist.

    Read More

  • The Use Of Foreshadowing In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    357 Words  | 1 Pages

    Azar Nafisi once said, "The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream." This quote relates to the overall theme of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. For example, Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to develop the central idea being the impossibility of having the American dream.

    Read More

  • American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    990 Words  | 2 Pages

    American Dream: “The ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative” (dictionary.com). In Steinbeck's book “Of Mice and Men” Steinbeck uses the literary devices such as allusion, archetype, and foreshadowing to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument; how the Great Depression affected individuals and their own American Dreams.

    Read More

  • How are different versions of the American Dream portrayed in Of Mice and Men and The Great Gatsby?

    1689 Words  | 4 Pages

    The American Dream is a difficult concept to describe because the dream is usually different for different people. Nevertheless, if we define the term ‘American Dream’ it is the uphold ideal that everyone has the right to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ as stated in the Declaration of Independence 1776. The American Dream is also known to be an improved social and financial status by hard working. The vision of the American Dream for Of Mice and Men for George an...

    Read More

  • Immigrants Coming To America Essay

    621 Words  | 2 Pages

    Almost any 6th grade student can provide the basic definition of the “American Dream” being free from oppression and being able to elect officials without intimidation. Some immigrants and refugees might even agree in that statement because it’s the shortest explanation in their decision to leave their homeland in the search of a better future. Just because it’s easy to explain doesn’t mean it’s simple to follow through with. A lot of U.S citizens can simply say that the “American Dream” has become a standard for anyone who wishe...

    Read More

  • The American Dream In John Steinbeck's 'It Happened One Night'

    1957 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Paradox and Dream he exclaims, “We proudly insist that we base our political positions on the issues – and we will vote against a man because of his religion, his name, or the shape of his nose,” (332). The irony present throughout Steinbeck’s observations of the American Dream in the essay vocalizes his observation of the apparent prejudice prominent in America (similar to his expression of prejudice through Crooks in Of Mice and Men), and is used as a direct attack to its roots. With race and health as possible motives for removal from work, many Americans chose to deny this disadvantage as a means to

    Read More

More about Analysis of John Steinbeck´s Paradox and Dream

Open Document